Netflix commissions 20 unscripted shows for 2017

Netflix is going all reality TV on us. While it's best known for its slickly produced series like 'Stranger Things' and 'The Crown', the streaming service has commissioned 20 new unscripted TV shows for 2017.

These include 'Ultimate Beastmaster', an obstacle course show that's like a more hardcore 'Ninja Warrior', produced by Sylvester Stallone. The show will have six country-specific versions, with separate hosts presenting in different languages. Two competitors from each country (US, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, Germany and Japan) will compete in each of the first nine episodes.

This investment in really shows will help Netflix's 2017 original programming line-up to grow to more than double 2016's output, reaching a total of 1,000 hours. And that's a conservative estimate, according to Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer.

"Unscripted television is a very interesting business," Sarandos told a media conference in New York.

"When 'Beastmaster' hits in Korea, they'll never have seen anything like it."

But the streaming service isn't forgetting about scripted shows. Indeed, it's looking to sell merchandise based on 'Stranger Things', one of its biggest hits. According to Sarandos, there's a "huge demand for people who want a t-shirt with Eleven on it."

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